Export of all kinds of respiratory masks banned by India

January 31: About 100 cases of coronavirus have been reported in at least 18 other countries, with no deaths outside China. The death toll in China from the new coronavirus reached 213 on Friday. World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a global health emergency.

It is in this backdrop that India has banned exports of all kinds of personal protection equipment, including clothing and masks used to protect people from air borne particles.

The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification, “Exports of all varieties of personal protection equipment including clothing and masks used to protect the wearer from air borne particles and/or any other respiratory masks or any other personal protective clothing (including coveralls and N95 masks)…is hereby prohibited with immediate effect till further orders.” In a separate notification, the DGFT has also banned imports of stock lot papers.